The Witcher

Neeyik · 10-26-2007, 11:25 PM

The Witcher is an action RPG set in a fantasy, medieval world, resplendent with quests, mini-games and visual touches. Something for everyone then but beware the age rating: this is a proper "adults-only" title, in every aspects of the term, thanks to some proper choices of morality and adventures of the flesh.

http://www.yougamers.com/reviews/13519_the_witcher/

FR0STY · 10-26-2007, 11:48 PM

Damn Neeyik that was fast weren't you talking about the review being up in "couple" of days just yesterday?? Anyway nice review and by the looks of it I might have found my next game purchase...

valtterieranen · 10-27-2007, 12:03 AM

How did you get past the "beast" boss. The fight seems friggin' impossible for me on medium difficulty. It always blows fire on me and I get stunned while the dogs eat my health away and I can't do anything about it.

Neeyik · 10-27-2007, 12:07 AM

You need to load up on the right potions, to the point of overdoing it; don't forget about your push spell too. Lastly, make sure you're picking the right attack mode - I used the "quick" one for a few burst before changing to a heavy attack, to not give it much chance of getting me back.

valtterieranen · 10-27-2007, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neeyik

You need to load up on the right potions, to the point of overdoing it; don't forget about your push spell too. Lastly, make sure you're picking the right attack mode - I used the "quick" one for a few burst before changing to a heavy attack, to not give it much chance of getting me back.

There isn't really any way to go back to making potions so I guess I'm screwed. I haven't come up with any recipe for anything that protects against fire. I'm already drinking all the pots I have for the fight. I do fine up until it does the firebreath thing, at which point I lose like 50% of hp just standing there unable to do anything. Even if I make it through the first one and quaff a healing pot, he promptly does it again and it's gg at that point.

10-27-2007, 09:22 PM

Quote:

and the setting confusing (talk of genetics and mutants in a medieval land?)

You clearly havent watched the anime series Claymore, have you? B)
http://anidb.net/a4892

10-28-2007, 05:16 AM

Well, im playing polish version for 2 days now and im so impressed (not only because im polish :P).
I was afraid that it will follow crappy two worlds. but fortunately it didnt - i played all modern rpgs (oblivion, nwn2, g3) and none of them made me play two inghts in a row till 6 am
about the review - the genetic mutation of witchers is as good fantasy concept as any other - i really recommend sapkowski's book, maybe not whole 5 parts saga, but some smaller tales collections for the beginning - i believe that even not polish person will really enjoy those.
SPOILER FOLLOWS!!

about the first chapter beast - i was also confused, especially that there was no turning back since the last talk to the priest - 3 important things - lvl your character as high as possible before that talk (complete all quests from this chapter), get a thingie that abigali recommend for the beast (very important, gives like 100% boost against it) i also had a sword made by a dwarf from a few pieces of meteorite but thats probably the least important.

10-28-2007, 09:20 AM

Well I'm playing this game for two days long so far and I can't step aside to grab a snack!
This game is awesome, the mood, the uncommon world and excellent story as well as a humorous dialogues. This is not Oblivion - it is much better. No killing graphics, BUT the ART graphics that make it much more original nad just beautiful. Perfect art - I've read the graphics and animations were made by a guy nominated to Oscar for an animation movie! Just awesome!

I was very pleased and surprised by the combat. Not really sure before I touched it if this would be a Diablo style. But I couldn't be more misguided. The click must be done one at the time, very precisely. Used to other titles I was clikcing the mouse button on and on. And was not able to make a sinlge attack success. You need to be focused and you need to know what are the rules.

The most value I find here is the story and non-obvoius decissions influence on the story. If you think you need to go out there and be a hero killing thousands of cobolts or helping a homeless beggar to get to a +2 two handed blade you'll be suprised. For the first time I can feel "in the game" so much, feel the sense and continuity and it's all packed into the great: graphics, humour, original world, and the atmosphere where THINKING is a major weapon.

So far I love it!

10-28-2007, 12:16 PM

Very nice review guys. But you made one...mistake within.
"The sex mini-game could be seen as crass, the language unnecessary and the setting confusing (talk of genetics and mutants in a medieval land?)." - I'm not suprised that you are not undersatand this. The game is based on the novel of A. Sapkowski. As he explained- this is NOT medieval world, but alternative world inspired by the medieval ages (when he was asked about a ruined climate, he answered "to the hell with it" XD). This is the only weakness of this review.
Sory for my english. Cheers.

Neeyik · 10-28-2007, 12:21 PM

I know it's not actually the medieval world but all of the art direction and social themes are medieval in nature; even magic isn't seriously overdone, as that function is held more by potions and alchemy in general. Since the novels have only just being translated into English, the vast majority of gamers who might purchase this title won't really know about the author and his novels, and may well look at the medieval fantasy nature of the game and feel that the use of terms such as genetics and mutants as being somewhat contrary to the rest of the themes.